Description

A wonderful late 1930s wristwatch, this Universal is clearly influenced by the minimalist design ethos of the Bauhaus. The smooth contours of the circular gold case follow through to the clean lines of the bezel’s chamfer and the straight lugs with their sharp downward facets. The leather strap is almost certainly the original and is fitted with an impressive broad gold buckle that is multi-faceted. Minimalist design continues across the dial which dispenses with minute divisions and indicates the hours via a combination of simple Roman numerals and baton indexes. The Universal signature is printed just above the subsidiary seconds track – this was not an uncommon placement during the 1920s & 1930s when space in the traditional spot at the top of the dial was often left clear by the manufacturer to allow the retailer/jeweller to add their own name. In lovely original condition, the dial has some minor light spotting and there are some light scuffs to the case, there is some nibbling to the very edge of the crystal at the 6 o’clock position. Although mid-sized by today’s standards, the 31mm diameter case was a standard size for a gentleman’s watch of the period. The bezel is slim and, unusually, the crystal is flat which ensures that the dial is given maximum visibility – the edges not being distorted by a curved glass.

Specifications

[M] Universal cal. 262 manually wound movement, lever escapement, compensation balance, 18,000 BPH
[D] silvered, elongated black Roman and baton hour indexes, blued steel baton hands, engine-turned subsidiary seconds
[C] 9ct yellow gold circular case, chamfered bezel, snap-on case back, faceted down-turned lugs, slim winding crown with finely milled rim
[B] stitched leather strap with original broad faceted 9ct gold buckle
[S] case, dial and movement signed

Measurements

31mm diameter excluding winding crown
35.5mm length including lugs
7.5mm depth to centre of crystal
18mm strap width/lug gauge

Accompaniments

One Year Guarantee – serviced by an Omega approved service centre
Black Bough leather watch pouch and Black Bough certificate

£975.00 [sold]